Bones Series Finale Review: The End in the End (Season 12 Episode 12)

I’m going to miss you, Bones.

Bones Season 12 Episode 12, “The End in the End,” ends the series in a way that provides some closure while leaving the door open for new journeys.

The series finale doesn’t feel as much like an “end” as it does the chance to celebrate the series and explore new territory for the show’s lead characters. That certainly does make for a satisfying ending.

We open right where we left off — following a massive explosive in the Jeffersonian with Booth, Brennan, Angela, and Hodgins all trapped inside. I noted in my review of Bones Season 12 Episode 11, “The Day in the Life,” that this is particularly significant, because the four who are trapped are the four who have been on the series since the beginning.

They all emerge from the rubble, and everyone seems to be fairly okay — except for Brennan.

It’s immediately apparent that this time, “I don’t know what that means” carries a whole new meaning. And it’s terrifying.

To explore what would happen if Brennan didn’t have her incredible ability to process complex information is the most interesting thing the show could do with her character right now. It breaks her, and it makes her question who she is.

Her husband’s reassurance that she’s so much more than her brain is the perfect example of why these two are such an amazing couple.

Booth: You’re the Roxy to my Tony, you’re the Wanda to my Buck. Who else is going to sing “Hot Blooded” with me, huh? And besides, we’re way better than Mulder and Scully.

Brennan: I don’t know what that means.

Booth: I don’t care if you know about the bones, or if you know how to solve crimes. All I know is that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. This is you. Temperance Brennan. You’re my partner. Don’t forget that.

Brennan’s injury also allows her squinterns to shine. They work together, using everything Brennan has every taught them, at a time when the stakes couldn’t possibly be higher.

They do so successfully, and it’s not only a tribute to Brennan’s skills as a teacher, but also to the squints overall. Watching them rally and work together is honestly one of my favorite things about the finale.

They do so after an inspirational talk from Hodgins, which sets him up perfectly for the news he’ll be getting later. But I’ll get to that in a bit.

It wouldn’t be much of finale without one last shootout, right? Booth and Brennan both risk their lives going after Kovak, and it’s a close call that even, for just a moment, puts Booth’s signature skill at risk with an injured hand — just when he needs it most.

Thankfully, that’s when Brennan’s ability to process information returns — just in time to know how to fix Booth’s hand with a twist of the wrist, allowing him to take the perfect shot at Kovak. No way were Booth and Brennan ever going out without a fight, especially when they work together as a team.

The most emotional part of the finale is when everyone has to pack up their things and leave The Jeffersonian. Still, it’s not an ending. We know it’s going to be re-built, and that it will probably even be better when it is. But for us, it’s final. Cam, Angela, Hodgins, and Brennan all find significant objects that bring back memories for them — and for us.

Okay, now let’s talk about Hodgins for a minute, because he shines on a few occasions in this episode, and that all leads up to his promotion.

As Booth panics, trying to figure out how to get out of The Jeffersonian and worrying over his wife, Hodgins becomes the voice of reason. He even full on yells at Booth, finally getting through to him and convincing him to, you know, NOT blow the whole place up.

Hodgins: You’re not listening, Booth! It’s too risky. You were trained in munitions; you know this! You don’t have to be a hero.

Then, as I mentioned early, Hodgins shows leadership with a powerful speech to the squinterns. He was prepared for Cam’s job before he even realized it.

Another one of my favorite moments? Hodgins realizing he is actually going to be “King of the Lab.” He deserves it, and his joy over the news is just wonderful to watch.

The finale ends, as it should, with Booth and Brennan sitting together on a bench outside The Jeffersonian, reminiscing about the past and talking about the future. Brennan has her things from the lab, and they look through them together — a picture Parker drew, the book Sweets wrote, Jasper the pig, and then… the clock.

447.

The explanation that Brennan offers for wanting to hang that clock, which stopped at 4:47, really feels like it applies to the way the story ends.

Booth: 4:47. Why would you want to be reminded about the moment when everything almost ended, Bones?

Brennan: Because it didn’t.

Brennan and Booth walk away from The Jeffersonian together, and we can feel as though everyone is going to be okay.

That includes in Cam and Arastoo’s news of adopting three children, Angela and Hodgins’ baby, and Aubrey’s announcement that he’s staying in D.C.

The fact is that sometimes, a happy ending is exactly what we need. And goodness knows these characters deserve it. It may be the end of the series, but we can imagine how everyone’s stories will go on.

What did you think of the Bones series finale? Are you happy with the way the show ended? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, and be sure to take a look back at some of our favorite episodes of Bones right here.

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